Heathrow Airport, one of Europe’s busiest travel hubs, has been shut down for 24 hours due to a significant fire at a nearby electricity substation, which resulted in widespread power outages.
Airport officials have warned of major disruptions in the coming days, leading to the cancellation of hundreds of flights and affecting thousands of travelers. The closure is set to last until 11:59 PM GMT on Friday, and passengers are advised to avoid the airport entirely.
Flight tracking services have indicated that approximately 1,351 flights will be impacted, with 120 flights already in the air when the closure was announced.
The fire, located in Hayes near Heathrow, prompted a swift response from the London Fire Brigade, which deployed around 70 firefighters and 10 fire engines to control the situation. Approximately 150 individuals were evacuated from surrounding buildings.
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Images shared on social media depicted large flames and thick smoke emanating from the substation, while footage from Heathrow showed shuttered shops and empty terminal halls illuminated only by emergency lights.
Assistant Commissioner, Pat Goulbourne of the London Fire Brigade noted that the fire has caused power outages in a broad area, affecting both residential and commercial sectors. Emergency teams are actively working to restore power. With the airport closed for the day, major disruptions are anticipated throughout the UK’s aviation network, leaving many travelers stranded.
